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The adage 'History is recorded by the victors' is a key motif that Eiichiro Oda's epic creator Eiichiro Oda has for some time integrated into the story. Legends often do not capture the full truth, even for the most influential characters in this world's intricate history. Kozuki Oden was no silly showman dancing through the streets of Wano Country; he behaved out of duty and conviction. Kuma was not a merciless antagonist who tore apart the Straw Hat Pirates, as well; he was doing them a favor. Similarly, the Davy Jones legend meant beyond just a pirate's contest in pursuit of emblems and crews.

In chapter #1164 of the manga, we see the peak of this theme. The entire God Valley story serves as a warning story, advising readers not to evaluate the characters too hastily.

Myths frequently fail to capture the full reality, even for the most powerful figures.

One Piece's latest flashback, chronicling the God Valley incident, represents one of the story's best storylines to now. Apart from the thrill of witnessing icons in their peak, it's compelling to observe them prior to when they turned into icons — when their reputation had yet to outgrow their human nature. The past, as recorded by the World Government and recounted through hearsay tales, painted our perception of figures like Roger, Rocks D. Xebec, and including Monkey D. Garp. But both the regime's records and the narratives of those who knew them prove untrustworthy, showing only pieces of who these men truly were.

The Individual Prior to the Legend

Gol D. Roger may have been guided by mission and the daring attitude that ignited a fresh era of piracy, but prior to he was known as the King of the Pirates, he was a young man governed by passion and the desire to explore. When individuals discuss his myth, they typically refer to his later journey, the grand expedition in pursuit of the Road Poneglyphs that point toward Laugh Tale. However not much is known about his initial travels, the one that molded him before glory found him.

At that time, Roger was largely unaware of the globe's secret past. His love for Shakky guided him to the Divine Isle, where he uncovered the Global Authority's darkest truths: the extermination "contests," the grotesque forms of the Five Elders, and including the existence of the world's hidden sovereign, Imu. We haven't seen Gol D. Roger's reflections about everything happening in the Divine Isle, but maybe finding the child of a Holy Knight on his ship will lead him to understand his place in the globe and pursue the reality he glimpsed from Rocks D. Xebec's predicament.

The Reality About The Infamous Captain

Before this flashback, what we knew of Rocks D. Xebec was derived almost entirely from the former Fleet Admiral's version, both to the audience and to new Marines. He painted Rocks D. Xebec as a despicable, power-hungry man bent on world domination, someone so dangerous that Roger and Monkey D. Garp had to team up to overcome him. But as it transpires, the strategist wasn't even present at God Valley; he was merely echoing the World Government's approved version of events, the exact story Imu authorized to conceal the reality about Xebec and the event itself.

In truth, Rocks D. Xebec, whose true name was Davy D. Xebec, was a ethical man who aimed to topple the ruler and dismantle the corrupt Global Authority. We are unsure if he was motivated by lust for power, revenge for his family, or a desire for justice, but when he discovered the government's scheme to annihilate the island where his kin resided, he gave up his ambitions of domination to save them.

This devotion for his family proved to be his undoing. After confronting Imu, he forfeited his will and liberty, turning into a marionette controlled to their authority. Currently, with what limited awareness remains, he begs with Gol D. Roger and Monkey D. Garp to kill him — believing that dying would be a mercy compared to the torment he suffers. The truth of Rocks D. Xebec is thus very different from the tale told by Sengoku, and the manga shows him in a positive manner during the God Valley events.

Could He Be Living Today?

But was Rocks actually meet his end? An intriguing theory is that he is even now a servant to Imu in the present day, acting as The Man Marked By Flames, maintaining the World Government's only remaining Poneglyph in continuous movement to keep the ultimate treasure from being discovered.

The Hero's Secret Defiance

Another key figure of the God Valley incident is Garp, who has faced criticism from followers for a long time for standing by as Admiral Akainu murdered Ace. That sentiment only grew stronger after the time jump, when he endangered everything to rescue the young Marine at Hachinosu, causing many to wonder why he couldn't do the same for his biological grandson. Similar questions have now resurfaced with the Divine Isle flashback: how can Garp work for the Marines, aware the World Government treats mass murder and slavery as sport for the upper class?

The truth reveals something distinct. The instant Garp witnessed the Gorosei's monstrous forms, he struck without hesitation. His alliance with Gol D. Roger wasn't to vanquish some evil Xebec, but a bold act of rebellion, an attempt to halt Imu, who was using Xebec as a pawn to wipe out everyone in God Valley, including it seems, including the World Nobles themselves. This event is likely the reason Monkey D. Garp detests the Celestial Dragons in the current era and why he never desired to be elevated to Fleet Admiral, answering straight to them.

History's Untrustworthy Narrators

Even though the readers are viewing the God Valley incident through a recollection narrated by the giant, including perspectives and events he obviously wasn't present for, I think we can consider this account as completely truthful. The series may offer an explanation in the future, perhaps connected to the giant's yet unknown paramecia ability. Nevertheless, the God Valley incident perfectly embodies the notion that history is recorded by the victors. This mindset is {